My friends Joe & Saskia over at House of Commons organized a ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, CA.
Just riding a bike 500 miles in five days is a feat in itself, but now imagine tackling the climbs of the west coast (Big Sur, anyone?) and imagine doing it on a fixed gear (= no brakes, no gear shifting, no coasting). Brutal, right?
If you’re interested in seeing photos and reading the ride blog updates, check out HOC’s website, www.houseofcommonslv.com
This is a post that is a bit late but it showed up before never so what can you do?
Once upon a time I loved California more than most things and definitely more than any locales in my life. I loved the way the sun felt on my skin (because it wasn’t burning me to death). I loved the old buildings and rich history in so many of the large and smaller cities. I loved seeing the ocean and not seeing the ocean but knowing it was near by. Most of all I loved the people. There was a time in my life when I was traveling to California every other weekend (the weekends coincided with my bi-weekly pay days) to see one specific person. When I was in California all was right and on more than one occasion I pushed the days I’d stay out later and later, until I was spending week long trips in California. These days I don’t go out there so much. People that used to bring me out there don’t have that pull on me anymore, mostly because the ties have been violently severed, but every once in a while I end up in my home state, and whenever I’m there I remember all of the feelings that make me never want to make the return trip.
A little while ago I became nostalgic for the California state of mind, and fortunately so did a very wonderful and lover-ly lady named Anita. So after an hour or so of enjoying each others’ company and reminiscing about our first love, California, we decided to go. And at 2:30am we were on the road to the sunshine state.
We only had a couple days’ time because of responsibilities back home, but the short trip was nevertheless relaxing and exactly what Anita and I needed to “recharge the batteries” so to speak.
Our first day out was mostly spent sleeping since we had come out from Vegas at 2:30 in the AM. I don’t believe we actually arrived in Riverside until 5:30ish in the morning. (And here is a good spot to repeatedly thank Brianne for having me & Anita, and actually waking up at 5 something in the morning to answer the door. You are and always have been an amazing hostess!). After half a day of sleeping we finally got out acts together and took the show on the road – to good ol’ Downtown Riverside. I showed Anita the sights of my hometown, including Simple Simon’s sandwich shop, the Historic Mission Inn and of course Back 2 the Grind (only the greatest cafe/book haven/art gallery/hangout spot hybrid ever!). Take a look.
Photos (click to open full size):
From left to right: Anita, Katie, Brianne & Myself.
Anita enjoying her first trip to the Historic Mission Inn, Riverside, CA.
This face says (to me) “Marie’s got a secret.” Marie & Brianne outside the Mission Inn.
Anita outside of the Mission Inn.
Our second day in beautiful California was spent sleeping in far too late again – and then going to Los Angeles. We enjoyed some Pinkberry and wonderful scenery at the Grove (Farmer’s Market) in Beverly Hills. Anita was dying to check out the Supreme store on Melrose so that’s exactly what we did (and of course we made a little time for me to go to the Turntable Lab as well). After some vigorous shopping we stopped into the world’s shadiest pizza parlor (which surprisingly only received a “B” rating on their health dept. tests) and then headed back to Riverside for some drinks and Apples to Apples.
Photos:
A shady (and in person – much more yellow) jewelry loans shop in LA.
I’ll always stop for a photo of Alfred, even if I’m driving.
Supreme in Los Angeles, CA
Supreme had so many dope decks that I just wanted to devote a wall to hanging ride-able art.
Anita enjoying herself at Supreme.
Maybe Anita was enjoying these decks?
Brianne browsing at Turntable Lab.
Brianne posing with MJ.
Just a favorite shot I took.
Anita crossing the street with her new Supreme swag.
Brianne and Anita headed to the shady pizzeria.
Although the place was shady, they had so many beers and flavored sodas they used a numbering system.
Have I mentioned yet how much I love my new Macbook? It’s the super duper gorgeous aluminum model. 2.4ghz, 2GB/250GB. The novelty of Photobooth hasn’t exactly died yet…
of course, I had some help…
(I’m still not sure what Nicole is doing here).
I have been listening to so much Elvis Costello lately. As I write this “I Want You” is playing and it is absolutely amazing. Thank you, Pirate Bay. I wish I could write songs like Costello. He makes it seem so easy. Does Nick Jonas remind anybody else of a miniature Elvis? I don’t think I’m alone on this one. I heard he even named his puppy “Elvis Costello.” (Why do I know that?)
Nicole and I have been recording quite a bit, as well as “trying” to document some of our recording process for YouTube. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) most of what we do ends up being “The Nicole & Kacey Special Needs Show.” Here’s the first video of when I can only hope will be maybe…5?
The day has finally come. I am happy and I can’t contain the joy. I have met two of the most amazing people and because I am obviously the missing leg of the tripod, we have decided to take a huge leap and move together.
So this is it…au revoir, Las Vegas. I can’t say I ever truly loved you, in fact for a while I down right hated you – but you had your moments.
In 2 1/2 years I’ve become my own person, fallen in love, fallen out of love, made money, met amazing people, gotten into bike riding and I’ve grown to truly appreciate the place I come from.
…and now it’s time to come home (sort of).
We are moving to Long Beach (Wrigley to be exact) and I couldn’t be more pumped on being stoked. I’m within riding distance of the beach, the Queen Mary, the Aquarium, Long Beach City College, Cal State Long Beach, and also right in the heart of downtown LBC. I’ll be immersed in education, sunshine, sea water smells and great company.
My two new roommates:
Cathy – is incredibly funny and outspoken, talented, giving and totally going to be a masterful wing man for me.
Cassie – is incredibly intelligent, gets my wacked out sense of humor (or at least laughs at my stupid jokes for my ego’s sake) and is totally going to become a lifelong friend.
Our new place:
Is incredibly cute. I’d go on describing it to you, but there are photos.
(Did you notice the hella cute built in shelves? Lurve it!)
So that’s about it. I am beyond coming up with the right words to express how incredibly happy, relieved, anxious, impatient, excited and giddy I am at the thought of our move. We leave on Saturday, January 31st. I had a hunch 2009 was going to be an amazing year despite the rocky start. I always have a good time if it’s an odd numbered year.
Excitement!!!
To “borrow” from my friend Brett that took a trip to Reno and told the story in 5 photos, here’s California in 4.
Yay my absolutely best friend Leanne is moving back from California. She’s less than two hours away. I get to help her move things in 90+ degree heat. Yay!!!
YAYYYY!!!
